Got previous: Blaklion heads last three winners going head-to-head in Becher

1.30 Aintree
Becher Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 3m2f | 6yo+ | ITV4/RUK

The last three winners of the Becher clash in this year's running, with the Blaklion meeting the horse he dethroned last year in David Pipe's Vieux Lion Rouge and James Moffatt's National fences specialist Highland Lodge.

Blaklion carried 11st 6lb last year, racing off a mark of 153. This year he is 5lb higher in the handicap and carries 11st 10lb, while Vieux Lion Rouge is 4lb higher in the handicap and carries 3lb more than for his victory. Highland Lodge won from 7lb out of the handicap in 2015 so while he only carries 1lb more at the age of 12 he is actually rated 3lb higher.

One-time Gold Cup hope Don Poli and National fences specialist Ultragold add further intrigue to what is a fascinating contest.

Market pointers

Despite the added randomness of the National fences it pays to look to those at the head of the betting. In the last ten years there have only been two winners return an SP larger than 14-1, while three favourites have obliged.

Weight matters

Blaklion (11st 6lb) last year and Vic Venturi (11st 12lb) nine years ago are the only winners in the last ten years to carry 11st or more. The other eight winners have carried 10st 12lb or less.

Just six of this year's field carry 11st or more, but they are all in the first eight in the betting with 2016 winner Vieux Lion Rouge, who has had a wind operation since his last run, and Missed Approach the shortest priced of those under.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Don Poli and Noble Endeavor
Both of them have been off a long time. Don Poli is high class at his best and seems in good order but he’s probably going to need the race – he hasn’t run since getting a bit of heat in a leg before the 2017 Gold Cup. Both horses schooled over Aintree-type fences at the Curragh a few days ago. Noble Endeavor is a good horse as he showed when winning the Paddy Power at Leopardstown two years ago. He hasn’t run since finishing sixth in last year’s Irish National and we’re looking forward to seeing how both take to the National fences with a view to going back there in April.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Blaklion and Ballyoptic
I'm hopeful, but Blaklion was brought down at the first in the national last year so anything can happen. He seems in very good heart and hopefully he'll be up to it. Ballyoptic's done everything right, he was second in a Scottish National and it's his first time over the fences. We'll see if he's up to the Grand National.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Present Man
He’s in really good form. He’s won on soft ground, but wouldn’t want it too deep.

Left hand down... Ultragold and Haryy Cobden (yellow cap) lead the field over the Canal Turn on their way to a second win in the Topham TrophyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Ultragold
He's won the last two runnings of the Topham and we want to put him up in trip to see if we can make a stayer of him as we've one eye on the National with him. We're stepping up half a mile to see if he stays. It's been his aim since we got him in this season.

Warren Greatrex, trainer of Missed Approach
It's been the plan all season, he schooled over the National fences this week and jumped well. It's not ideal it's on heavy ground, he does handle it but it's his first run back.

David Pipe, trainer of Vieux Lion Rouge
He loves it round there, he won it two years ago and has dropped a few pounds in the handicap of late. He'll love the soft ground and is in good form at home. It's a competitive race but we're looking forward to it.

James Moffatt, trainer of Just A Par and Highland Lodge
Highland Lodge's preparation has been the same as always and I'm delighted with how he's been going for the last month or so. He's getting a bit older but I don't see any reason why he can't finish in the first four. Just A Par's been doing exactly the same work, I'm happy with where he is in himself but he's been off for a long time so has some questions to answer. He's brilliant over the fences so I'm looking forward to him running as well.

Sean Doyle, trainer of Crosshue Boy
He has improved plenty since his run over hurdles at Galway in October. If he takes to the fences well and finishes in the first half dozen, we'll have to strongly consider returning in April for the Grand National.

Ross O'Sullivan, trainer of Call It Magic
He’s in good form, if he takes to the fences and shows the sort of form he displayed in the Irish National last season I’d be hopeful of a good run.

Paul Nolan, trainer of Fine Theatre
He’s won a maiden hurdle and a beginners chase [over two years ago] but nothing else and we’re just hoping he’ll take to the fences and that they might spark him into action.

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